Dr. Tom Webster

Meet Dr. Tom Webster

"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." Philippians 3:10

Dr. Thomas R. Webster came to ETBU in 1999 as the Director of Bands and assumed the position of Dean of the School of Music in 2001. He currently serves as the Dean of the School of Communication and Performing Arts and his administrative leadership role involves supervision of the three academic departments, Communication Studies, Music, and Theatre Arts, and one service program, Media Services. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he teaches courses in music theory, worship studies and applied clarinet and saxophone. Webster also served as President of the Texas Association of Schools of Music, as Region IV College Division Chair for TMEA, and is currently an on-site accreditation evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music. He holds memberships in the College Music Society, the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference, the Music Theory Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Sigma Alpha Iota. His most recent academic presentations include “Reevaluating Program Cost and Value: Using Institutional Resources to Make Wise Investments in Academic, Co-Curricular, and Extra-Curricular Programs” (Council for Christian Colleges and Universities 2018 International Forum), "Multigenerational Worship in Today’s Church" (ETBU Worship Summit, 2016), "Developing Program Identity and Constituent Support Consistent with Institutional Mission" (Academic Chairpersons Conference, 2016), "Music Program Advancement through Partnerships with Community Arts Organizations" (NASM 2012), and "Music Career Advising and Implications for University Administrators: A Deans' Perspective" (College Music Society, 2012). As a church musician (part-time, interim, and supply), he served churches in Texas, including the First Baptist Churches of Longview, Lubbock, Gladewater, Brownwood, Early, and Marshall; and Hurstbourne Baptist Church of Louisville, Kentucky. He continues to serve as a supply and interim worship leader and as a consultant to search committees as they seek music and worship staff for their churches. Dr. Webster earned his Ph.D. in Fine Arts (Instrumental Conducting and Literature) at Texas Tech University; his M.M. (Instrumental Conducting) at Texas Christian University; his B.M. (Church Music) at Howard Payne University; and did additional study at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and B.H. Carroll Theological Institute.